How do you write like you want to write?

[radraccoon]

I recently received the criticism that my writing doesn't read like I'm someone who enjoys writing. When I asked the person to explain further, they hemmed and hawed about they were just offering constructive criticism and that I shouldn't be so argumentative. (I took this to mean they were just trolling and didn't like being asked to actually back up their "criticism.") But, let's give the troll the benefit of the doubt and assume their critique was genuine and they just lacked the intelligence to explain what they meant.

What does enthusiastic writing look like? What have you seen in writing that made you think "this person is only writing because someone has a gun to their head"?

 

[RepresentingWrath]

By 'enthusiastic writing' that person probably meant that he\she didn't like how you write, your prose, or whatever you want to call it.

 

[LunaSoltaer]

Im going to sidestep the stated question for a moment and ask a preliminary question:

Do you enjoy writing?

If you do Not, then why do you write?

For me, I would look for an ill definable qualitative property called word flow. The work should be trying to sound like you can get lost in it. Not in the "yeah im clueless as to whats going on" way, but rather a "whoa im 5 chapters in and its 4am wtf?!" way.

To find a writer who feels like theyre being forced to write, id look primarily for the combination of these factors:

Technical command of the language (or, language so badly janked it HAS to be fake)

Mechanical vibe, that is to say, littlecto nonexistent prose, think Wikipedia article.

That the scene being portrayed does NOT call for the above vibe

either very sparse, or very rigid, posting schedule

I want to make sure im not hitting someone who actually IS enthusiatic just struggling, if i say someone seems lioe theyre being forced to write.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Lots of practice and being told no.

 

[Corty]

Checked your story's first chapter. It read completely fine, and it was fun. I like the premise and the setting, so I'll catch up sometime later for sure. Honestly? I did not feel anything that your reader mentioned above. I found it good. So, yeah. Keep your chin up, and I wish you success!

 

[Rhaps]

For me, enthusiastic writing is just having fun when writing. Sure, there need to be a storyline for there to be a story.

I think of my story like a game, there is a main quest and a whole bunch of side quests. And like how I play games, I completed most of the side quests first before getting into the main storyline.

As long as I don't abandon the main storyline, I can do whatever I want. Whose gonna tell me to get on to the main storyline? My story is my story to tell, not someone else's.

 

[APieceOfRock]

You'll know it when you like writing something. I often find myself unknowingly smiling when I write something I really like.
If it feels like a slog, I can identify that I don't like writing that particular part.

 

[Deleted member 54065]

I recently received the criticism that my writing doesn't read like I'm someone who enjoys writing. When I asked the person to explain further, they hemmed and hawed about they were just offering constructive criticism and that I shouldn't be so argumentative. (I took this to mean they were just trolling and didn't like being asked to actually back up their "criticism.") But, let's give the troll the benefit of the doubt and assume their critique was genuine and they just lacked the intelligence to explain what they meant.

What does enthusiastic writing look like? What have you seen in writing that made you think "this person is only writing because someone has a gun to their head"?

Enthusiastic writing for me? Well, it's more on the flow of the narrative...like, for when I get carried away, I suddenly find myself gone from one topic to another, yet the transition felt natural.

As if I as an author is telling a story in my 'natural' way (for example, lots of fillers).

Now here's the thing. Take such criticisms with a grain of salt. Most of the time, it's just the reader's preference kicking in, and it will help that you have a plan on what direction you'll take your novel, so you can sort out and throw useless 'feedback' so it won't affect you much.

As for 'enthusiastic writing', well, did you enjoy writing it? Because if you yourself never enjoyed it, your readers won't as well.

Edit: I sampled a chapter in your work, and I agree with @Corty's observation. I find no problems with the narration. I think it's just the reader's preference.

 

[Succubiome]

What does enthusiastic writing look like? What have you seen in writing that made you think "this person is only writing because someone has a gun to their head"?

For fiction, if the people in a story keep on dismissing the story they're in, and it's not parody or otherwise done in a comedic manner that builds on itself, I tend to think either the writer doesn't want to write, or is self-conscious about writing.

That's the only situation that I can immediately think of that stands out to me as maybe someone who isn't wanting to write, though.

 

[Bartun]

I enjoy what I write, I want it out of my head so badly. Maybe my skills are not up to most standards but I always strive to improve.

I think is subjective, each reader has their own preconceived ideas and biases, and reading something that appeals to those ideas might be more enjoyable to them than something that does not. For example, I'm not saying your characters are unrelatable because I haven't read your story and people here say that your writing is great so no reason to doubt that, but for the sake of the argument let's just say the reader didn't find your characters relatable or appealing. (I don't know, I'm just saying) That same person might find some shitty, badly written fanfiction to be amazing "peak writing" if he's already invested in the fandom and the characters. (especially if it's some shipping fic of their favorite pair)

So yeah, don't worry about that kind of criticism. I mean, I get that a lot too. Keep doing what you're doing, especially if you enjoy it. I think the kind of criticism you should pay attention to is from those who can back it up and point out exactly what they didn't like, not the subjective type. Carry on, friend!

 

[LilRora]

It's hard to explain without giving an example. Sometimes the writing just feels bland, but you can't really point out why, and that often means the author isn't enjoying thier writing.

I think three most common signs of that are lack of tension, slow and monotonous pacing, and disjointed sentences that feel like they are connected gramatically, but don't flow smoothly from one to the next. All three can be hard to spot, especially for the person writing the story, so unfortunately I can't give any better advice than try to compare writing with other and see what differs.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

What does enthusiastic writing look like?

Porn. It looks like porn.

What have you seen in writing that made you think "this person is only writing because someone has a gun to their head

Anything written by someone at Vice News.

 

[ArcadiaBlade]

I kinda read a bit of your story but I feel like there's something missing. I just don't understand it though. Like an itch that you notice but don't know where to scratch, maybe though my psychological studies, I think I can understand what that person meant.

Maybe its the spacing or how much effort you put into the story, or maybe it just feels bland.

I kinda consider reading more to find out but i'm not really interested in the novel so this is all I can do I believe.

 

[Lloyd]

I only read the first paragraph, but I 100% agree with the criticism you received, although I have a slightly different take on it. I feel it's more like you enjoy what you are writing, but have put the quality of the writing to the wayside, often writing things that sound good in your head, but end up messy and retarded on paper.

Warm Regards,
Lloyd

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I only read the first paragraph, but I 100% agree with the criticism you received, although I have a slightly different take on it. I feel it's more like you enjoy what you are writing, but have put the quality of the writing to the wayside, often writing things that sound good in your head, but end up messy and retarded on paper.

Warm Regards,
Lloyd

BASED.

 

[nowme_cres]

I recently received the criticism that my writing doesn't read like I'm someone who enjoys writing. When I asked the person to explain further, they hemmed and hawed about they were just offering constructive criticism and that I shouldn't be so argumentative. (I took this to mean they were just trolling and didn't like being asked to actually back up their "criticism.") But, let's give the troll the benefit of the doubt and assume their critique was genuine and they just lacked the intelligence to explain what they meant.

What does enthusiastic writing look like? What have you seen in writing that made you think "this person is only writing because someone has a gun to their head"?

Enthusiastic writing isn't really seen in the writing itself but the notes that the authors left behind

 

[ACertainPassingUser]

If I'm enthusiastic and isn't as focused or as Carin as I should, I would've write without worrying about basic spelling, grammar, and other unecessary stuff as I writpe.

I don't even care if there's wring word usage and never look back at whatever I write beacusr I'm so enthusiastic at writing these. And I don't care if I've written so many "and" and and many other redundant word that used ineffectively and wrong. I'm just getting started at my ehtusanstic writing. Hehehehehe

I'm so enthusiastic that I don't have to worry about editing and convey proper wordss to audience. Just write and let the autotype correct Al my mistake, and wherever it doesn't work just let it be, it make me so enthusiastic at writing this. I'm enjoyi writing this it a Lot hehehe

Real message :
Words can be subjective,
The words can be misused and convey the wrong message,
Random Commentators aren't the best source of Critic,
Ask beta-reader, other writer, and proper Critic to get accurate feedback of your writing.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

 

[KrakenRiderEmma]

This does sound like it might be an excuse from someone who just didn’t like it or thought it was too slow-paced or dry for their tastes. However, I guess there is a real opposite of the criticism, “this reads like someone had a lot of fun writing it.”

I associate that with writing that feels fun, and has clearly defined emotional beats — whether it’s revenge or despair that just feels soul-crushing, an incredibly clever twist that makes you gasp, or a bad joke moment that makes you slap your forehead. It’s when you feel the presence of the author in how something’s written, the way an idea comes out in the story, etc and you get the sense that there was enjoyment in putting it together.

 

[BlackKnightX]

It's the vibe. Yes, your writing has vibe too. It's hard to explain, but have you ever read a story and felt like the author was definitely having fun writing this?